We frequently receive inquiries regarding why customers are unable to see the power flows from their inverter displayed on the device screen, particularly when the inverter is a Hybrid or DC-Coupled system.
Understanding Hybrid Battery Systems
A Hybrid Battery system is typically characterised by its ability to charge directly from the solar array while being unable to charge from alternating current (AC) sources. These systems are commonly referred to as DC-Coupled or Hybrid systems.
In such a configuration, the solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter plays a critical role in delivering power from the batteries. This means that the energy provided to the household or the electric vehicle (EV) charger cannot be easily differentiated between solar energy generated directly from the panels and energy drawn from the battery storage.
When a current transformer (CT) is employed to measure the AC current output from the inverter, it does not distinguish between the two sources of power. Consequently, this results in a lack of visibility on the myenergi platform regarding how much energy is being consumed from solar generation versus how much is being sourced from the battery.
Implications for Energy Monitoring
Due to these limitations, the myaccount interface and the graphical representations of energy flow do not provide clarity on what portion of the energy is excess solar production and what portion is battery-supplied energy.
However, it is important to note that as long as there is an export of at least 1.4 kW back to the grid, which is the threshold required to initiate a charging process, the zappi will continue to charge the electric vehicle. This ensures that you are maximising your use of renewable energy while effectively managing your battery storage.
If you have any further questions or require additional assistance with your hybrid system, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.